House panel OKs bill revoking franchise of SMNI

Manila Bulletin

The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises has approved a bill seeking to revoke the franchise of television network SMNI over alleged violations found by lawmakers.  On Tuesday, March 12, the panel approved without amendments House Bill (HB) No. 9710, which aimed to terminate SMNI’s franchise as granted to its official name, Swara Sug Media Corporation.  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/12/house-panel-o-ks-bill-revoking-franchise-of-smni  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00 Mr. Chair, this is already the fifth hearing that we have conducted.

00:07 And, six?

00:11 Okay.

00:13 So, we have already heard all sides pertaining to this subject matter.

00:23 We have discussed thoroughly all the pertinent provisions of Republic Act 11.422.

00:33 We exhausted already all arguments that needed to be discussed.

00:40 And, Mr. Chair, of the six hearings that we have conducted,

00:48 this committee, I believe, was able to establish violations of SWARA SUG to their franchise.

00:57 And, may I repeat what has been stated by the author, Exeuntitib Gunchares,

01:03 first and foremost, we have seen or we have established that they were in violation of Section 4,

01:11 responsibility to the public, which we have already thoroughly discussed, which I will not discuss anymore.

01:18 Section 10, the sale lease transfer grant of user practice or assignment of franchise.

01:25 We were able to establish that there was a change of ownership from Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

01:32 In 2020, they reported in their GIS that KOJC owned 95% of SWARA SUG.

01:42 However, in 2022, as per their GIS, the shares of KOJC was diluted to 46%,

01:55 and it was transferred to Peebus Global Holdings, I believe.

02:00 So, clearly, there was a transfer of ownership, and under Section 10,

02:06 they should report this to Congress and, or rather, ask permission from Congress.

02:12 And, once the transfer is consummated, they should report it to Congress within 60 days, which they did not do.

02:22 Now, under Section 11, we have also established that they were also in violation of this pertinent provision.

02:29 Dispersal of ownership.

02:31 It is very clear that, in the life of their franchise, they should offer to Filipino citizens at least 30% of its outstanding stock.

02:46 However, for the past 29 years on which they have been operating, not a single stock has been offered to Filipino citizens.

02:58 And lastly, Section 12, which is the reportorial requirement.

03:03 So, Mr. Chair, clarum clarum, although, of course, the legal counsels of SWARA SUG will oppose our findings,

03:15 they have their own interpretation also of the law, but I believe that this committee has found sufficient grounds to revoke their franchise.

03:28 On this note, Mr. Chair, this representation would like to move for the approval of House Bill 9710,

03:39 an act revoking the least legislative franchise granted to SWARA SUG Media Corporation.

03:46 So moved, Mr. Chair.

03:48 There is a motion.

03:50 Approval of House Bill 9710.

03:55 Any second?

03:57 Second the motion, Mr. Chair.

03:58 Ruling seconded by the Honorable Pancho.

04:00 Any objections?

04:02 The Chair in objections.

04:04 House Bill 9710 is approved as.

04:09 With no amendments.

04:11 [No audio]

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